One of the hardest-working organs in the body is the liver, which is in charge of different body functions. Fat can build up in the liver, causing fatty liver disease.
Typically, a small amount of fat in the liver is normal, but if it makes up more than 5–10% of the liver’s weight, something is wrong, and it can lead to serious health issues like liver damage, scarring, or even liver failure.
Types of Fatty Liver Disease
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: This is a kind of disease that affects people who use little to no alcohol. NAFLD is commonly linked to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and even high blood pressure. According to the National Library of Medicine, “the estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 population and is higher among males than females.”
In that same study, it was stated that “the estimated global prevalence of NAFLD among adults is 32% and is higher among males (40%) compared to females (26%).” Furthermore, it is possible for NAFLD to get worse and when that happens, it causes liver inflammation which is a case where the liver swells up and scars which could lead to liver failure.
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): AFLD is another type of fatty liver disease that is caused by drinking too much alcohol. “The prevalence of ARLD worldwide was 4.8%,” BMC Public Health states. Basically, when the liver processes alcohol, it can damage the liver cells which leads to fat buildup in the liver. Now, if a person with AFLD stops drinking, the liver can usually recover but if drinking continues, it can lead to inflammation and scarring.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty Liver Disease often has no symptoms, that’s why it’s considered a silent condition. Many people don’t feel any different and may not know they have it. However, some people may notice certain signs, like:
- Feeling very tired
- Pain or discomfort in the belly area
- Unexplained weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (called jaundice)
- Swelling in the legs
Risk Factors
Obesity: Carrying excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, shows that there is frequently more fat in the blood, which can develop into fatty liver disease as it builds up in the liver and eventually makes up a significant portion of the liver’s fat.
Type 2 Diabetes: With type 2 diabetes, the body has difficulty controlling blood sugar levels. When blood sugar stays high, the body produces extra fat, which is deposited in the liver. This excess fat puts extra pressure on the liver, resulting in this disease.
High Cholesterol: One form of blood fat is cholesterol. When cholesterol is high, the liver can store extra fat. Over time, this ongoing fat storage begins to damage the liver.
High Triglycerides: The body also contains another type of fat called triglycerides. Just as high cholesterol shows an increase in blood fat, so do high triglyceride levels. And the accumulation of fat in the liver can lead to fatty liver disease.
Other Factors: In addition to those already mentioned, there are a few more. Like taking too much alcohol and taking certain medications that contain steroids. These factors can make it easier for fat to build up in the liver.
In the case of medication, the medication can change the way the liver handles fat, which causes this disease as a side effect. Lastly, sometimes fatty liver disease can run in the family. This basically means that if a person has a relative with liver problems, they might likely develop it too.
Conclusion
Excess fat accumulates in the liver, causing fatty liver disease, which reduces the liver’s ability to function properly. This “silent” disease can get worse without any symptoms until liver damage is severe. If left untreated, the disease’s non-alcoholic and alcoholic variants can cause inflammation, scarring, and even liver failure.
